"Don't Be Cruel" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Otis Blackwell in 1956. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2004, it was listed #197 in Rolling Stone's list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is currently ranked as the 173th greatest song of all time, as well as the sixth best song of 1956, by Acclaimed Music.

"Don't Be Cruel was the first song that Presley's song publishers, Hill and Range, brought to him to record. Blackwell was more than happy to give up 50% of the royalties and a co-writing credit to Presley to ensure that the "hottest new singer around covered it".

If Elvis liked the song, the writers would be offered a guarantee of a million records and they would surrender a third of their royalties to Elvis'.

"Don't Be Cruel" went on to become Presley's biggest selling single recorded in 1956, with sales over six million by 1961.

Beatles cover versions

According to author Mark Lewisohn in "The Complete Beatles Chronicles" (p. 362) The Beatles performed it live from at least 1959 till 1961 if not later. No recording from then is known to survive.John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Pete Best, and Lennon's former bandmembers The Quarrymen as well as Tony Sheridan all recorded versions of "Don't Be Cruel".

Many other artists including Connie Francis, Annette Peacock, Barbara Lynn, Bill Black's Combo, Billy Swan, Devo, Cheap Trick, Daffy Duck, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Diamond, and Jackie Wilson have recorded the song.Presley was said to be so impressed with Wilson's version that he would later incorporate many of Wilson's mannerisms into future performances. Debbie Harry recorded the song for the Otis Blackwell tribute album Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell. A cover by American country music duo The Judds peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1987. Cheap Trick's version of this song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988..

Lyrics:

Don't Be Cruel

You know I can be foundSitting home all aloneIf you can't come aroundAt least please telephoneDon't be cruel to a heart that's true

Baby, if I made you madFor something I might have saidPlease, let's forget the pastThe future looks bright aheadDon't be cruel to a heart that's trueI don't want no other loveBaby it's just you I'm thinking of

Don't stop thinking of meDon't make me feel this wayCome on over here and love meYou know what I want you to sayDon't be cruel to a heart that's trueWhy should we be apart?I really love you baby, cross my heart

Let's walk up to the preacherAnd let us say I doThen you'll know you'll have meAnd I'll know that I'll have youDon't be cruel to a heart that's trueI don't want no other loveBaby it's just you I'm thinking of

Don't be cruel to a heart that's trueDon't be cruel to a heart that's trueI don't want no other loveBaby it's just you I'm thinking of